Experimental Functional Analysis

Question 1

Define experimental functional analysis

Answer 1

The use of specific methods to test a hypothesis about the variables that cause/maintain behaviour

Question 2

How is EFA different to informant assessment and descriptive assessment?

Answer 2

EFA involves manipulation of antecedents/consequences to witness the effect on behaviour

Question 3

We test how consequences affect behaviour by…

Answer 3

systematically manipulating the various reinforcers for behaviour

Question 4

EFA is conducted in…

Answer 4

an analogue setting

Question 5

Define analogue setting

Answer 5

Contrived - not in the natural environment

Question 6

Situation in which brief social attention is given each time behaviour occurs

Answer 6

Contingent attention condition

Question 7

What form does contingent attention usually take?

Answer 7

Mild social disapproval

Question 8

If informant/descriptive assessments suggest tangible reinforcers maintain behaviour we test by

Answer 8

Present preferred tangible items contingent on problem behaviour

Question 9

Situation in which person is asked to perform task, which is removed each time behaviour occurs

Answer 9

Demand (Contingent escape) condition

Question 10

How long is the task generally removed during the demand condition?

Answer 10

About 30 seconds

Question 11

If people don’t respond during demand condition…

Answer 11

enter into 3 step prompt procedure

Question 12

Situation in which the person is left with no external sources of stimulation

Answer 12

Alone

Question 13

The alone condition tests for…

Answer 13

sensory stimulation (automatic reinf’t)

Question 14

Contingent attention condition:

Answer 14

Situation in which brief social attention is given each time behaviour occurs

Question 15

Contingent escape (demand) condition:

Answer 15

Situation in which person is asked to perform task, which is removed each time behaviour occurs

Question 16

Alone condition:

Answer 16

Situation in which the person is left with no external sources of stimulation

Question 17

Control condition:

Answer 17

Situation in which the person has access to all non-contingent attention and tangibles and no demand is presented.

Question 18

What is the problem with testing the alone condition?

Answer 18

Potentially VERY DANGEROUS to leave a person exhibiting some automatically reinforced behaviours alone!

Question 19

What rate of responding would you expect during the control condition if something in the environment is maintaining the behaviour?

Answer 19

Low (if at all)

Question 20

How are results recorded for EFAs?

Answer 20

Data is collected in each conditioning showing the freq of behaviour. Graphs are then made to show patterns of behaviour

Question 21

How do we test which antecedents cause behaviour?

Answer 21

Using previous assessment results we manipulate the antecedents we think cause behaviour

Question 22

Give four antecedents that could be tested

Answer 22

Presence/absence of person; task difficulty; time of day; type of activity

Question 23

Give an advantage to using experimental analyses

Answer 23

Gives best information about behaviour due to experimental methods

Question 24

Give a limitation to using experimental analyses

Answer 24

Resource constraints: time consuming and requires qualification

Question 25

When can you implement interventions?

Answer 25

AFTER you have conducted an FBA and understand antecedents, consequences and possible replacement behaviours

Question 26

Freq of behaviour under each test condition should be compared…

Answer 26

against control condition

Question 27

Generally sessions should be ____ in length

Answer 27

10 minutes

Question 28

Before starting each session you should clearly specify…

Answer 28

a termination point